The Wharfedale Line is electrified. This service is not.

2V43, the 15:40 from Ilkley to Leeds, is formed of a Class 150/1 coupled to a Class 142, continuing a diesel diagram that has outlived several attempts to remove it. The reason is unimportant. The result is familiar.

Acceleration is limited, stops are frequent, and the timetable makes no particular allowance for either. Progress south is steady rather than quick, with little opportunity to regain time once lost. Signals and platform work will dictate the pace.

The objective is to reach Leeds in one piece and roughly on time, positioning the units for their next duty on the Harrogate Loop. Nothing needs to be proven here. The service exists, it must be run, and by the end of it the train should still be serviceable. That will suffice.